filibuster definition - Dictionary

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filibuster

fil·i·bus·ter [ fílli bùstər ]

noun (plural fil·i·bus·ters)

Definition:

1. political delaying tactic: a tactic used to delay or prevent the passage of legislation, e.g. a long irrelevant speech

2. politics legislative obstructor: an obstructor of the passage of legislation

3. U.S. military military adventurer: a mercenary or irregular in a revolutionary army of a foreign country

verb (past and past participle fil·i·bus·tered, present participle fil·i·bus·ter·ing, 3rd person present singular fil·i·bus·ters)

Definition:

1. transitive and intransitive verb try to block legislation with filibuster: to try to stop legislation being passed by making long speeches

2. intransitive verb U.S. military be a military adventurer abroad: to serve as a mercenary or irregular in a revolutionary army of a foreign country

[Mid-19th century. Via Spanish filibustero< Dutch vrijbuiter "pirate"]

fil·i·bus·ter·er noun

fil·i·bus·ter·ism noun

fil·i·bus·ter·ous adjective

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